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TV detectives
I notice that a number of contributors to the Forum share my enthusiasm for BBC 4's imported detective thrillers.
A recent message on another thread about the two-part 'Bergmann' led me to wonder how many of us have fixed ideas as to the definitive portrayals on TV of fictional detectives.
To kick things off, may I offer:
Much as I admire Sir Michael Gambon, for me it has to be Rupert Davies as Maigret
David Suchet as Poirot
Jeremy Brett as Holmes
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Ah but where do you stand on ... Miss Marple?
Nice thread, Northender
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I've seen very little of the lady in question, but I believe that Geraldine McEwan's portrayal arouses strong feelings.
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Originally Posted by Northender
Indeed, negative ones
It has to be Joan Hickson as Miss Marple, pace Ammy's avatar who is hugely watchable in the role but for nostalgic comedy value (not to be under-valued!)
Last edited by Caliban; 03-06-12 at 10:22.
"The isle is full of noises... Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not"
The Tempest, Act III scene 2 ll 148-9
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John Thaw's Morse, of course.
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For some reason, I've never taken to either. Ought to (see the vehicle depicted on my profile!) but I think the productions of both were very wooden, uninspiring.
There is room I think for someone to come in and produce a stunning new Maigret which will sweep the board. Question: who would you cast from actors working now?
Never been able to watch it - subtly wrong, somehow, for me... the supposed Franglicisms are phoney, I get that he plays it to some extent for comedy, but there's something unauthentic which annoys me.
Absolutely stunning and mesmerising
"The isle is full of noises... Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not"
The Tempest, Act III scene 2 ll 148-9
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Endlessly watchable even if some of the programmes were a bit creaky.... The Magic Flute one with creepy Ian McDiarmid is fantastic!
"The isle is full of noises... Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not"
The Tempest, Act III scene 2 ll 148-9
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Absolutely - although I was thinking more of roles played by more than one actor - has anybody else portrayed Morse on TV?
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Apparently George Baker played Inspector Alleyn in a series made in New Zealand, but I don't know whether he would be a match for Patrick Malahide's later series.
I don't know how many people have played Inspector Lestrade, but I think Colin Jeavons made a good job of being left trailing (and flailing) in Holmes's wake.
Lord Peter Wimsey has been played by Ian Carmichael and Edward Petherbridge, and Adam Dalgliesh by Roy Marsden and Martin Shaw.
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Ultimately I found Morse to be unbelievably two-dimensional - he didn't seem to learn anything at all about himself - whereas Jack Frost (David Jason) developed as a character.Endlessly watchable even if some of the programmes were a bit creaky.... The Magic Flute one with creepy Ian McDiarmid is fantastic!
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